CMS opens coverage analysis on MR angiography
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Medicare agency opens 30-day comment period on Oct. 7 for an internally-generated national coverage analysis of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging procedure for visualization of blood flow and diseased vessels. CMS recently lifted the national non-coverage status for MRI for blood flow, leaving decisions on MRA in the hands of local Medicare contractors. The agency seeks comments on the long- and short-term clinical outcomes of MRA for indications that remain non-covered in the Medicare population. Comments are due Nov. 6, and CMS plans to issue a final decision by July 6, 2010